Shocks for Ford F-150

[Mesannen]

I've been piecing together a lift for a '94 YJ, and the only thing left to get is a set of front shocks. I'm running Fabtech 3.5"" springs with 1/2"" boom shackles front and 1"" booms in the rear (Ford 8.8), with a set of Pro Comp MXS adjustable shocks in the rear.

From my research, it seems some people have had good luck running rear shocks from a '97 Ford F150 4wd truck as replacement shocks in the front of a YJ with 3.5-4"" of lift. I've talked with a few guys, and they claim the ride is just as good as factory, and are a cheaper alternative to some of the more expensive YJ shocks on the market.

Here are the shocks I am considering: Gabriel G64079 Ultra Truck Shock or KYB 349108 Excel-G Gas Shock https://mechanicfaq.com/shocks-for-ford-f150-4x4/

Extended and compressed length of the shock is roughly the same as a 4"" lift shock from BDS, Syjacker, or Rough Country. My only concern is whether they will be too stiff.

Crazy idea? I have found a pair of these shocks brand new for $45 shipped, which is a pretty good price.

 

[RonD]

Springs are rated for the WEIGHT of the vehicle on that axle
If springs are rated for 1,500lbs and vehicle only weighs 1,000lbs then ride will suck, there is not enough weight to hold the springs down when you hit a bump so spring just pushes vehicle up, might as well just use steel rods instead of springs, lol.

And a good match for spring rating and vehicle weight also keeps your wheels on the road instead of airborne, so better handling and traction

Pickup trucks are often over sprung in the rear to get their capacity rating, like 1/2-ton rating, that means the rear springs are matched to rear axle bed weight + 1,000lbs, lol, so can be a harsh/bumpy ride with empty bed.
Softer springs with over loads added can help that, empty or loaded a good ride and better handling.

Shocks are there to stop springs from doing what spring do, bounce up and down with weight added, shocks dampen springs deflection and recoil.
You want a shock that ALLOWS the springs to absorb bumps but not keep bouncing after the bump.
So these are also weight related, a "stiff" shock takes away from good spring weight rating match, doesn't let the spring absorb the bumps.
A soft shock can't handle the weight of vehicle so can't dampen the recoil good enough, so continued bouncing

A Good shock can't correct for bad springs, so it starts with the springs

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Seems like you're asking this on the wrong forum for your vehicle.




GB

 

[07nhbpsi]

Seems like you're asking this on the wrong forum for your vehicle.




GB

Exactly............

 

[shadetreebronco]

I am running factory size F-150 shocks on my 1.5" lifted Bronco II.
Rides very nice.